I'm replacing the radiator on my 2007 350Z and am at the step of trying to separate the condenser from the radiator so that I can lift it out.
I understand how there are two tabs on the bottom of the condenser, and they sit on top of and plug into corresponding slots that stick out of the bottom of the radiator. So the condenser tabs have to be lifted up and out of the slots before the radiator can be lifted out. Well I cannot get them separated...not because the tabs are frozen into the slots, but because there is no play that permits the condenser to be moved upwards. The fans are off, all the hoses and connections have been removed, The radiator is unbolted from the condenser and the radiator is able to move back and forth behind the condenser. It appears that the stiff refrigerant lines to the condenser on the driver's side are restricting movement. Youtube University makes it look so easy. What the heck am I missing?

 

I may have found my problem, but am getting mixed signals. I just read in a Chilton manual that in models 2007 and later, the radiator and condenser are built as a unit and must be removed together. But I spoke w/ a service tech at a Nissan dealer who insists that he's taken them out separately.

Is there anybody out there who has removed a radiator specifically on a 2007 or later "Z" or "G" and can share their experience?

Many thanks!

/Carl

 

The early cars have bolts on the top, that bolt in from the front.

 

I'ts only 370Zs that have the combined radiator and condenser, your 2007 used the same condenser as all other 350Zs. Here are the two pages from the 2007 350Z FSM that show how to remove and install the condenser according to Nissan. Good luck with the project!

 

i don't know if it's different on the HR, but at least on the DE, a bit further down, under the intake, there is a 10mm head M6 bolt you can remove from a bracket to give the radiator more freedom of movement. i don't remember having too much trouble getting the radiator out of the core support, as there's not much to it, but getting a new thicker 50mm one back in was definitely a very difficult task

since you said the fans and hoses are off, just do a sanity check:

1) did you unlock the 2 upper mount brackets (turn the dudes 90 degrees counterclockwise
2) bracket mounting bolt anchoring A/C line to the chassis i mentioned above
3) popped off plastic caps and removed the 2 bolts attaching A/C condensor to radiator (you said you did already)

that's basically it. if you say it's not frozen to the radiator tabs, maybe step 2 is all you need to give it the play required to shift it upward. see below:

 

Well, it' taken care of!

It was the refrigerant line bracket that was holding things together up top, and when I realized that, removing it allowed the top of the radiator and condenser to rock back and forth away from ea other. But they were still firmly attached at the bottom.
The tabs on bottom of the condenser engaging the slots on the radiator weren't actually frozen, just kinda' tight. So because I had read they were a single unit not to be separated, I didn't want to force them. But after reading the above responses, I decided it was finally time to put the hurt to it and show it who's boss. It finally broke loose with back and forth wiggling, plus lifting the condenser while pushing the radiator down. From there, it was a piece of cake.

I really appreciated the help.

Thanks!
/Carl